Goodbye Taiwan

My last week in Taiwan.

 Ah, the bitter sweetness of goodbyes, preparations, and memories; the hugs, the smiles, the tears… This has been a rough year for me; but the irony of difficulty, being a Christian, is that I am SO much closer to God. He has taught me so much. I’m a slow learner, but He is gracious and faithful. A few things I have learned:

Y  Getting away is not only okay, it is recommended. Schedule alone time.

Y  Learn to say no without a guilty conscience.

Y  Be honest and true to who you are. Remember. You do NOT have to explain yourself or your actions to people.

Y  God is a lot bigger than we give Him credit for.

Y  Not only are the things told to the Father completely confidential, but He is also able to solve the issue and replace the trouble with peace.

Y  Remember that it’s the follower who is usually caught. Don’t do anything questionable, even if someone else is.

Y  STAY CONNECTED with family and close friends. (I’m so grateful for skype!)

Y  A smile transcends culture, language, and religion, and is the easiest way to bless someone.

Y  Blessing offenders is the quickest way to eliminate enemies.

Y  Count your blessings. Write down answers to prayer. Keep God’s promises ever before your eyes.

Y  Show gratefulness for critique, and be quick to ask forgiveness. Keep short accounts.

Y  Choose your investments (time, energy, and money) wisely.

Y  DO NOT forget time with God, even for a day. It is essential!!!!

Y  Choose your friends with caution; because “who you spend time with you will become like.”

Y  Take lots of pictures. Memory fades, but pictures last a lifetime.

Thank you ALL for your prayers, notes, care packages, and love. Without you, I couldn’t survive on the mission field. Having you behind me is what gives me strength to continue, and keeps the enemy at bay.

I will be leaving for Taipei in just two short hours. There I will spend the night, and leave the country in the morning. Tuesday will be forty hours long, as I travel BACKWARDS in time to the States.

En-route to home, I will be staying at the IBLP Headquarters in Chicago for a few days, then going to a family encouragement conference. From there, my Aunt will pick me up and take me to her home. I’ve been invited to be the “missionary” for a VBS at her church. When it is over, I will take a train home. Whew! It will take about 3 weeks.

I’m looking forward to seeing many of you, catching up, and seeing what God’s been doing in YOUR life this year.

Blessings in Christ,

蘇以樂

 “Bob”

Barbara Jewel Sutton